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Betting on sport is big service.

Sport England estimates the worth of spending on sport-related gaming in England grew from ₤ 1.7 bn in 1985 to ₤ 2.8 bn in 2008.

Which figure is most likely to have grown further, with an approximated ₤ 1bn bet on the World Cup alone in the UK this summer.

Meanwhile, German research study firm Sport & Markt approximates the overall global betting market will deserve 263bn euros (₤ 220bn) by 2012, with much of that driven by internet and sports gaming.

But when the stability of occasions are struck the gambling market suffers, and earnings are put under danger if consumers can not bet with self-confidence.

And there can have been few higher-profile sport wagering stories than those impacting cricket and snooker this year.

High-profile

As Sport & Markt's Gareth Moore observes: "Everyone speak about the sports gambling market now.

"Not just is it a significant market in world service, it is one that is now on the front pages of papers."

Four Pakistan cricketers have actually been questioned by police over spot-fixing accusations associating with a test against England at Lord's last month.

Three of these gamers have stated they will also challenge the corruption charges installed against the trio by the sport governing body the International Cricket Council.

Meanwhile, three-times snooker world champ John Higgins was cleared of match-fixing claims, but was banned recently for 6 months for failing to report the prohibited technique to him to throw frames.

There are likewise two other continuing investigations - not related to Mr Higgins - into snooker.

'Honest'

David O'Reilly is legal counsel for Betfair, one of the UK's most significant online sporting exchanges.

"If the sport is viewed as sincere, straight and reasonable that benefits wagering companies since people will invest cash wagering with confidence," he says.

"If you take the Pakistan accusations, although unrelated to the UK managed wagering market ... it is not really a positive story for wagering in the UK.

"That is since the understanding is that 'cricket is now something we might need to be careful about'."

'Education'

So what can be done to prevent future scandals?

According to experts at a World sports betting Law Report conference into sports betting gambling, the focus needs to be on sportsmen and sportswomen.

As Simon Taylor of the Professional Players' Federation points out: "The only individuals who can repair a match are the competitors or the referee."

His organisation represents males and females in 15 sports betting in the UK, being an umbrella organisation for all player organisations, such as the Professional Footballers' Association.

He believes that it is inadequate to simply have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary procedures, but that the way to take on possible problems around players is likewise through education.

Mr Taylor states guidelines need to be described plainly to gamers with clear examples, and by individuals they respect.

"Through informing players about sports betting you strengthen integrity and that is in everyone's interest," he includes.

"If players are more difficult to corrupt then sport will be more difficult to corrupt."

'Brand damage'

Matt Johnson, head of regulatory legal advice at the Football Association, concurs.

"Prevention is better than treatment, and we likewise make a point of telling gamers 'you are going to be captured'."

"It is imperative that sport is directly, and is seen to be directly," he adds.

"If it loses that then people do not want to bet, that is not in gaming companies' interests, and it is not in our interests."

He said that as soon as an excellent track record was lost, the damage to a sport was "incalculable".

FA rules indicate players are not enabled to bank on a competitors in which they are involved.

Mr Johnson says players have actually to be seen not to be cashing in on any inside understanding, which he says could cause "brand damage" to football and its competitions.

So, even a 2nd Division player knocked out of the FA Cup in the fall can not bank on a Manchester United v Chelsea cup last the following spring.

"We have to overcome to players the reputational threat to the video game," he says. "Once confidence has been damaged it is tough to get it back - mud sticks."

'Overwhelmingly legal'

If this represents the "carrot" method, then possibly Nick Tofiluk, director of guideline at the Gambling Commission, represents the "stick".

The Gambling Commission was set up under the Gambling Act 2005 to regulate commercial betting in Great Britain.

An ex-chief constable of West Midlands authorities, Mr Tofiluk has responsibility for policing all betting in the UK apart from spread wagering, which is the remit of the FSA.

"The overwhelming majority of sports betting wagering taking place through UK operators is legal and reasonable," he states.

"But for some there is the temptation to ... corruptly hinder the result of a sporting event.

"Such cheating has the potential to weaken the integrity of a sport, and it likewise hurts the industrial interests of sports betting bodies and sports betting."

The commission has actually developed an internal Sports Betting Intelligence Unit to receive and disseminate details to sporting authorities, betting firms and policing authorities.

"Since 2007 we have actually experienced a significant insight into world of corrupt sports betting wagering," he says.

"We will signal sports of our issues, to assist avoid or curtail [unlawful] activity"

In May 2010, the commission likewise presented a personal telephone hotline for those with details or suspicions.

'Vulnerabilities'

But in a two-and-a-half year duration there has actually been simply one prosecution, a 24-year-old man who was cautioned for cheating in relation to greyhound racing.

However, Mr Tofiluk says there are still eight ongoing investigations, and that much helpful details has likewise been passed to sports betting authorities.

He stated that where an investigation by a sport governing body was quicker, and more expense effective, then the commission would consider discontinuing a criminal investigation "in favour of letting sports betting governing bodies take the lead".

Meanwhile, he says much of those aiming to cheat the sports betting industry were experienced about sports and sporting people, and about betting operations and the motion of money.

"They look for the vulnerabilities of these to help in their enterprises."